NORTHWICH Vics players are facing a tough Christmas as their wages have not been paid in full due to the financial problems at the club.

Vics owner Jim Rushe confirmed that only half of their monthly salary had been paid and that he was unsure about when they would receive the remainder.

But despite the credit crunch biting and the uncertainty over the forthcoming sale of the Marston’s Arena, Rushe is confident that the players will play on for Northwich as they bid to climb out of the Blue Square Premier drop zone.

He said: “Nobody will be leaving the club as 99% of them are contracted. Their contractual obligations have been met as half of their wages have been paid this month and the other half will be paid in full as soon as possible.

“But nobody has a bottomless pit and I am no different.

“It is the same for every business at the moment. And when there is a recession it is the leisure industry that suffers first.”

Rushe added that a consortium of local businessmen have now submitted a bid for the Marston’s Arena which is in the process of being sold by global financial firm Deloitte Touche.

The company seized the ground from former chairman Mike Connett’s firm Beaconet after it recently went into receivership.

He said: “The consortium associated with me has put in a bid and we are waiting to see if it has been accepted and also whether or not the funds are available.

“If we have the highest bid then we will get the ground.”

Manager Steve King is hoping his improving side can earn their first victory since he took over the job earlier this month when they host Crawley Town on Saturday (3pm).

Vics still find themselves in the bottom four of the Blue Square Premier despite taking a well-earned point from Salisbury City on Saturday (see page 30).

King is determined to lead Vics out of the danger zone and sees no reason why they can’t beat the play-off chasing Red Devils.

He said: “The fixture list has not been kind to us recently but we will take the game to Crawley and hopefully we’ll get the victory.

“I want to win every game. We will not sit back against anyone and we will take it to them.”

Dean Saunders’ rejuvenated Wrexham side are the visitors to Northwich on Wednesday, December 3 (7.45pm).

Vics have been given a home draw in the first round of the FA Trophy. York City are the visitors to the Marston’s Arena for the tie to be played on Saturday, December 13.

For a match report of Saturday’s clash with Crawley see www.northwichchronicle.co.uk.